Ryan Day was expected to do very well in the top sixteen of the Bahrain Championship. Instead he was knocked out by fellow player Matthew Stevens during Tuesday night’s match up. Stevens a former Masters and UK champion beat Day with a 5-4 victory.

Stevens was playing very well and looked like he would win 5-3 as he lead 54-52 in frame eight. Stevens just needed three pots to win and he trapped Day on the brown. Day tried to escape but failed. Day did finish the ball close enough to the side rail that it was in safety.

Day then doubled the black to a baulk corner that forced a decider. Stevens held on and had a break of 44 in the last frame. Day had one chance to catch Stevens but missed and Stevens closed the game with 70.

Stevens commented: “I always give Ryan a bit of banter about how lucky he is. The last time he beat me he had about 50 flukes. We have a bit of fun, but I didn’t find funny when he hit that brown and then doubled the black as well.”

Stevens will now move on and face Dominic Dale in the quarter finals. Dale’s former opponent, Steve Davis had to withdraw due to illness.


- 2008-11-13